Nikol's Surrender (A World Beyond #10)- Michelle Howard Page 0,1

news, how?”

His pulse kicked up its pace. Mirim was right. This was good news since none of the twenty or so tutanis in Lothar’s kitse had given birth since Seri’s murder. His father’s women had gotten pregnant a few times but something always happened and the child would be lost well before they were due. Those who were superstitious believed Lothar to be cursed for his actions those many years ago.

Nikol knew better. The competitive spirit of their vile natures had taken a dark turn. Mirim’s pregnancy would indeed be good news. For Lothar. And maybe even Mirim since his father would immediately see to her care and protection in hopes of having a living child.

“I’m further along and haven’t told anyone. I’m no fool, my little Nikol.”

He snorted. After he went through his growth spurt during his twelfth year, he was taller than her by a good five inches. At fifteen, he now towered over the diminutive Mirim making nothing about him little.

“There is a traitor in the midst, another tutanis in the kitse who wants to make sure no one else gives Lothar what he wants,” she continued.

Nikol believed that. It would explain the many babies dropped before a viable term. Mirim moved away from him and his arm fell to his side. “None of that explains why I should be excited by your news.”

The words ‘I hate him’ were on the tip of his tongue but Nikol bit them back. If his father ever discovered his true thoughts, he’d punish him. No one wanted to endure punishment beneath Lothar’s hands. He knew that from personal experience.

“Because you are going to be a big bruher.” Mirim grinned at the announcement.

Bruher. Brother. His gaze dropped to her belly. He hadn’t thought in those terms concerning the previous news of pregnancies. Mirim, the only woman to ever care for him outside his own mother, was having a baby. His thoughts once more veered to the other tutanis. Some had died not long after they announced their impending births.

Worry for Mirim crept through him. “You need to tell my father immediately and demand he move you from the kitse and assign a guard.”

She caressed his cheek. “I plan on it today now that I can no longer hide my condition. I wanted to share it with you first. Someone I love and trust.”

The breath stalled in his chest. This wasn’t the first time she’d told him she loved him. A surge of fear ripped through him. Mirim was the only good thing in his life. Nikol gripped her wrist below where her fingers touched his face.

“I promise I will take care of you.”

“I know, Nikol.”

***

“See him. Your bruher.”

Nikol’s heart clenched when he caught his first look at the blanket covered bundle. Mirim pushed the covers back further to bare the baby’s tiny features. Dark hair, small lips and a wide nose.

“He’s very small,” was all he could think to say.

Mirim chuckled and slumped back on the bed. Nikol jerked in fear, but humor danced in her brown eyes. “He’ll grow. Perhaps as big as you.”

Nikol took another peek at the quiet baby she held. Impossible. He’d never been around his sisters much when they were born. Surely they hadn’t been this small either.

“What’s his name?” He shouldn’t care. If Lothar knew how much this baby meant to Nikol, he’d kill him to give Nikol another of what he called life lessons.

Then again, Lothar was out celebrating the birth of his new son.

At his question, the first frown crinkled Mirim’s brow. “Harat. Lothar learned his lesson well from your mother and had the name filed with the Majad without consulting me.”

Slayer. His brother’s name meant slayer. Mirim had picked another name. One that meant beauty and light. She wouldn’t have selected Harat after an ancient prophet who brought devastation to the land in his efforts to conquer Marenia to become the Majad ruler.

Nikol’s uncle carried the title of Majad now. He’d met him when his father took him for a visit to brag because Majad Renik didn’t have any children yet.

Much to Nikol’s surprise, his uncle took to him right away and often requested Lothar send him for visits. Lothar never refused in hopes the connection would sway his brother in his favor one day. Those times were Nikol’s fondest because he didn’t worry about being attacked in his sleep.

“Promise me something, Nikol.”

Mirim’s eyes burned with a feverish light. Black hair stuck to her face, her curved black horns dull from the